Boundary Commission to review Ashfield District Council wards

RESIDENTS in Ashfield are being encouraged to have their say on an electoral review that could see changes to the district’s wards.

The Local Government Boundary Commission for England launched its electoral review of Ashfield with a presentation at last Thursday’s full council meeting (24th January).

The review has been called because of significant differences in the number of people that councillors in the district represent.

The aim is to ensure that each councillor represents roughly the same number of electors and the review will look at how many councillors will sit on the council and the boundaries, names and numbers of Ashfield’s wards.

A working group of cross-party councillors has been set up and will make recommendations to the council.

Max Caller CBE, chair of the commission, told the meeting that the review will be a ‘good review only if councillors get involved and local people get involved’, because they know the area better than the Boundary Commission.

Council size draft proposals are expected by mid March, with final proposals by June.

Warding arrangement proposals are being invited between July and October.

Members of the public will then be able to put forward their views on the matter.